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Danava is a band based out of Portland, Oregon, that has been steadily rising in the metal underground over the past eight years. Even though their music has a doom element people can compare to early Sabbath, their influences are so eclectic that an attempt to put a label on them would almost be a disservice to their abilities, so the best way to get an idea of what they sound like is to listen to them.

Guns N’ Roses were often compared to the Rolling Stones, and if Appetite For Destruction was Guns’ Sticky Fingers, the Use Your Illusion albums would have to be their Exile on Main St. Like Exile, Use Your Illusion I & II won’t be remembered for the hits, but as a strong, collective statement made by a band at the pinnacle of their creativity.

Here are a few behind-the-scenes photos from our upcoming 2012 Holiday Review Guide, which is coming to newsstands and the Guitar World online store in November. We'll be rolling out several more behind-the-scenes photo galleries up until the newsstand date, November 22.

Kylesa is a metal band that hails from Savannah, Georgia. "Metal" is really the only accurate description I can come up with, because they incorporate an amazingly diverse range of influences and genres into their music, giving rise to a sound that's truly unique and all of their own.

He could easily be intimidated, following in the footsteps of guitarists with names like Iommi, Rhoads and Lee. But Ozzy Osbourne’s Zakk Wylde is his own man … and already proving it. Much has happened to Zakk Wylde during the past year. Besides co-writing all eight tunes on his vinyl debut and touring the world behind it, the young New Jersey hotshot established a tight bond and rapport with vocalist Ozzy Osbourne that is sure to boost his performance the next time they record.

As a guitarist, singer, musician and composer, Devin Townsend has done and seen it all. After starting out in the early 1990s as the singer in Steve Vai’s band, Townsend then went on to form the band Strapping Young Lad, releasing five albums between 1995 and 2006. After that band was dissolved, Townsend went on to form the Devin Townsend Project, releasing a series of four individual albums of different moods.

These are the sounds of a man granted a private preview of a masterpiece-in-progress by a giant of rock guitar. Open-mouthed enthusiasm hardly becomes a Jaded Journalist, but what can you do when you're blown away? I'm sitting In Joe Satriani's cozy suite in L.A.’s Le Parc Hotel. The guitarist opens a door leading to the terrace and considers unpacking his clothes. We agree to first hear “a few” of his new tunes, and discuss rock star finery later (particularly our mutual fondness for Big John black jeans).

Today's lick pays homage to the playing of blues legends Stevie Ray Vaughan and Lightnin' Hopkins. It's a short but action-packed lick in the key of A, played out of the open position and incorporating lots of quick finger slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs and open strings.

Wayne Static entertained thoughts of a solo project during his years fronting Static-X, but the multi-platinum band’s recording and touring schedules put the idea on hold. When the group dissolved after their final tour in 2009, the opportunity presented itself to begin working on the material that became Pighammer.